Wednesday, November 14, 2012

People interested in environmental protection might want to take a look at current DNR proposals to change or eliminate 28 rules, and one state law, addressing small businesses.The DNR's proposals can be found in this pdf, and cover matters ranging from septic systems to recycling to pesticides to recreation to water quality to landfill operations.

The agency says the regulations targeted are archaic or otherwise unneeded and their elimination or amending will not harm the environment.

A comment period - - the second regarding the proposals - - closes December 5th; given the priorities of the current administration and legislative majorities, I'd say the process is pretty far down the road to approval.

But additional comments can forward more information to the DNR and also establish a record, so take a look at the list and the material that accompanies it.

Comments on the draft report can be sent electronically or by mail to: DNRCleanAir@wisconsin.gov or Eileen Pierce, Wisconsin DNR, 3911 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711.

The proposed regulatory changes emerged from a Scott Walker-ordered review covering any "business entity, including its affiliates, which is independently owned and operated and not dominant in its field, and which employs 25 or fewer full-time employees or which has gross annual sales of less than $5,000,000."

Sounding reasonable while being extreme is their stock-in-trade. What is the definition of 'archaic' as applied here? Who decides what is 'unneeded' or 'needed'? Who determines that elimination or amending will not harm the environment?

It sounds like they're covering up the true intent, which greatly concerns me. Also sounds like you've swallowed the plan without looking at specifics or asking any questions, or are posting your comment as a paid commentator.

Banned in Milwaukee

The right, suburbanites say "No light rail for Milwaukee."

James Rowen's Bio

James Rowen, a writer and consultant, has worked for newspapers, and as the senior Mayoral staffer, in Madison and Milwaukee, WI. This blog began on 2/2/ 2007. Posts run also at various news sites, including The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's "Purple Wisconsin."